Actor Paul Walker Killed in Car Crash

Actor Paul Walker speaks to media members as he arrives to attend the premiere of the film Fast Five in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday April 15, 2011.  (AP PHOTO/FELIPE DANA)

Paul Walker, known most famously for his role in the Fast and Furious action franchise, was killed in a car accident in the Los Angeles area on Saturday. He was 40 years old.

According to reports from TMZ and other outlets, Walker was the passenger in a car driven by a friend that was involved in a single-car accident in which both men were killed. The incident was confirmed in a statement on Walker's own Facebook page. The actor was leaving a charity event in the town of Santa Clarita, north of L.A., when the accident occurred. 

Paul Walker, in addition to playing one in movies, was a car guy. Had a long conversation with him about cars a few years back.

— MattHardigree (@MattHardigree) December 1, 2013

Based on witness reports and photos taken at the scene, the car, believed to be a Porsche belonging to Walker, appeared to crash into a tree or some other structure and burst into flames. No other cars were involved, but an exact cause has yet to be determined.

Video apparently shot at the scene of Paul Walker crash http://t.co/dngkPpj85e

— Jon Passantino (@passantino) December 1, 2013

A lifelong resident of California, Walker worked in Hollywood nearly his whole life, starting as a child model and actor when he was just a toddler. Although he appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows throughout his career, the role he will forever be known for is as cop-turned-street racer Brian O'Conner in five of the six films in the Fast and Furious franchise. The seventh installment, also featuring Walker, is currently in production and slated for release in 2014.